Rip strip removing device



March 15, 1960 c. E. BLETSCH 2,928,569

RIP STRIP REMOVING DEVICE Filed March 27, 1957 5 R 5 INVENTOR.

U ed S ates Pat fi 9 2,928,569 I an STRIP REMOVING DEVICE Charles E. Bletsch, Highland Park, m. V 7

Application March 27, 1957, Serial No. 648,847 2 Claims. c1. 220 -52) i 2,928,569 Patented Mar. 15, 19st) Fig. 6 is a detail similar to a portion of Fig. 5 and showing the parts in a different position of operation.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, there is shown a rip strip removing device identified generally by the numeral 10, and including a Y-shaped frame 12 having a stem 14 and a pair of branch arms 16. A block 18 is providedbeneath the outer end of each arm, and may be held in place by any suitable fastening means 20 such'as screws or rivets. Each block- 18 is provided on its und'ersurface with a plurality of arcuate grooves or guides 22 of different radii. These grooves are designed to fit' over the upper bead 24 of a can 26, such as 'a coffee can. Which one of the grooves will receive the bead depends upon the diameter of the can. Generally speaking, the inner two grooves will receive the rim of a relatively small'can, while the outer two grooves of the two blocks will receive the head of a relatively large can.

there are many more commodities or substances packaged for sale or storage in such cans.

In opening such cans, a small key is associated with an extending tab on the side of the can, and the key is twisted to wind up a strip of metal which tears or rips I off the side of the can. Unfortunately, it is often diflicult to maintain the winding strip in the form of a spiral of constantly increasing diameter, but with no change in axial dimensions.

Quite frequently, the'strip will run off one end or the other of the part that has been previously wound, resulting in a conoidal formation with the remaining portion of the strip to be torn off substantially at the apex of the cone. This often renders it impossible to rip the strip off any farther, and the part of the strip that has been wound up erroneously must be straightened out and rewound. This is a rather dangerous operation, since the torn edges of the strip are extremely sharp, and are quite likely to cut the person attempting this operation. Furthermore, it is extremely diflicult to cause the strip thereafter to wind up properly. Even when the strip does wind properly, there is still a danger of being cut by the sharp edges thereof.

Accordingly; it is an object of this invention to provide a device for removing the rip strip from a'can without any danger to the operator, and insuring proper winding up of the strip at all times.

It is another object ofthis invention to provide a device for tearing the rip strip from a can which device engages the can at widely spaced points and-i-s supported and substantial distance from the operating area, and where in the device is operated from entirely, abov'ejythe'. can, thereby eliminating danger of injury to the operator. 1

Other and further objects and advantages ofjthe present invention w ll be apparent from the following deseription when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device as used on a i 2 is tqpri w therein I :1; .:.s.-:

Fig 3 is an exploded perspective view of the operating parts thereof;

Fig; 4 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom view partly in section as taken along the line 5.-5 in Fig. 4; and

Intermediate size cans' will have their beads received in the intermediate bead grooves, as will be apparent. In the illustrative example, there are three grooves in the under surface of each block 18. However, this number can vary widely within the scope of the invention.

At the outer end of one of the arms 16, the rearrnost arm with the stem 14 extending to the right as in Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided an upwardly extending and curved finger piece or grip 28, held in place by the fastening means 20.

-The stem 14 is'enlarged at the outer end as at 30, and is provided with a longitudinal slot 32 having arcuate ends 34 and 36 respectively located toward the arms and toward the outer end of the stem. A wind-up crank mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 37 is mounted within the slot 32, and serves to wind-up or tear 01f the rip strip 39 of the can 26. The crank mechanism includes a two piece bearing 38 comprising a lower disk 40 having a raised, diametrical substantially rectangular section-'42 thereon, with an upstanding threaded boss 44 surmounting the raised section 42. The boss 44,

the raised section 42, and the disk 40 are provided with an axial bore 46. The rectangular section 42 is received 1n the stem recess 32, with the upper faces 48 of the disk and includes an integral, radially extending circumferential flange 56 received in a recess 58 in the underside of the lower part of the bearing 38, whereby to limit upward movement of the shaft 54. Adjacent the upper end of the shaft, which end is immediately above the threaded boss 44 of the bearing, there is providing a non-circular section '59, such as the hexagonal section shown. A corresponding non-circular aperture 60 in a crank arm 62 fits over the non-circular section 59, and a rotatable handle 64 is mounted on the outer end of the crank arm. A sheet metal member 66 is provided with a central aperture 68 which is received over the threaded upper .end 70 of the hollow shaft 54 extending above the non-circular section 59. This sheet metal section '66 comprises a circular body portion 72 having a radially "outwardly "extending section 74' ofsubstantially' in extent, and terminated by upstanding ears or lugs 76.

A nut 78 is threaded on the upper end of the extending e ence anchoring the'crank arm in place on topof the hollow shaft 54. o A lock shaft 80 is rotatably mounted within the hollow in a spiral of constantly increasing diameter and without any varieties inaxial direction. Accordingly, the 'rip i stripis rolled up and torn ofli of the can in an absolutely shaft 54, and has-an enlarged head 82 ;at the ilower end 1 thereof received in a counterbore 84 in the bottom of V The upper end of :the lockt'shaft 80 extends above the. top of the hollowqshaft' 54, and 'a knutled knob -:9 4 :is secured thereon by means suchr'as ":a set screw '96. Snb- I stantially opposite "to :the set screw there [is :arad'ially projecting pin 98 'which'extends above the rsegmentmter the sheet metal section 72, and lies betweenith'e ears 76.

perfect manner. At the same time, it is impossible for the operator to cut himself, since the left hand is positioned at a substantial distance from the point of operation, and since the right hand is at all times maintained above the top of the can.

The specif cyembodiment of the invention as herein shown and deSCfibCd'lS for illustrative purposes only. Various mange -immature will no doubt occur to those skilled the art, and' are to be understood as forming a part of theinvention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

' l. A device for removing the rip strip from a can comprising a Y-shaped frame having a pair of arms and a stempguide rneansadjacent the ends of :said arms for,

The pin and ears thus limit the deg'reeof rotation of the knurled-knob 94, and hence of the lock 88.

It will be observed that the knurled knob 94 covers the circularor'ring-like part 72 of the sheet metal secends 34 and 36 of the slot 32 in the stem 14 arearcs of substantially the, same radius as the bearing 38, where by to 'form slot.

outwardly of the can in the slot 32 of the ste'm 'l4, also a. close fittherewith ateit'h er end :of the 'tion 66; and it furtherwill be observed that the arcuate When it is desired to remove the 'rip strip "from :a can, as the rip strip 39 from the can 26, the device 10 is positioned across the top of the canr as shown in Figs.-

ber, meansrnounting said rotary member on said frame adjacent theend of said st ern for rotation and for movefnent transver se vof its axi s longitudinally of said stem, said rotary member being adapted to project downwardly past the edge of the can, cam means on said rotary member adapted to secure a ripstrip to said member, means on said member for rotating said rotary member whereby to wind the rip strip from a can, and a finger piece extending upwardly adjacent the end of one of said arms for aid in manually locating the device, .said finger piece being concave away from the other arm.

,2. :A device for removing the rip strip from a can comprising a frame, means on said frame fo r supporting said frame on a can, a rotary hollow cylindrical member carried by said franie and adaptedto project downin accordance with the diameter of the can, and the slot 92 in the bottom of the hollow shaft 54fis slipped over the end of the rip strip 39 with the 'lockin the'position shown in Fig. 5. The knurled kn ob 94 at this'time has the pin 98 thereon abutting the car 76 limiting its clockwise direction of rotation, as viewed=from above."

Theknob is then rotated through substantially-90 to bring the pin against the eart76 limiting rotation in the counterclockwise direction. This turns the lock 88 from the position shown in Fig. 5tto that shown in Fig. 6,

thereby wedgiiig the endof the rip strip between the wall of the hollow shaft 54 and the lock 88. It will be appreciated that the relieved corner 90 of the lockaids in bending the inner end of the rip strip to the proper position. The device is then held as shown in Fig. *1, with i the index finger of the left hand engaging the'fing'er piece 28, and the thumb engaging the can and the outer end of the other arm 16. The remaining fingers on the left hand may ride lightly .against the side of the 'can to stabilize the "can. The crank handle 64 is grasped by, the

right hand, and. the crank is rotated in a clockwise di rection. This causes the rip strip 39 to roll up around the" outside'of the hollow shaft 54 adjacent the lower end thereof, the can correspondingly rotating about 'itst ow'n axis and sliding beneath the blocks 18 and the under surface of the bearing 38 and the enlargement or collar 56 on the hollow shaft 54;

Inasmuch as the resting of the bearing 38 and ot the collar 56 on the top of :the can bead insures against up or down mov'err'ient of the crank structure, it is impos- 'sible for the rip strip to roll up in any manner other than member adjacent said slot.

wardly past the edge of acan in the vicinity of a rip strip thereommeans on said rotary member adapted to secure a1rip strip to said membenand means on said member tor -rotating said jrmember to windthe rip strip from'the can, said rotary member having a longitudinalslot in the-sidewall thereof, and securing means comprising a camelement rotatable within said member in a locking direction and "reversely in an unlocking direction, said element having an arcuatesurface with a relieved leading portion in the ,disection of locking rotation to initially "engagetherip strip and said arcuate surface being spaced lam-e cited inthel file of this pat 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,759,364 Quigg May 20,1930 2,140,151 Dazey Dec. 13, 1938 2,286,039 Reynolds 1---..- June 9, 1942 2,625,294 Bodin etal. Jan. 13, 1953 2,765,952" Scrum i'.- Oct. 9, 1956 2,767,879 Chades Oct. 23, 1956" 2,7 99,42 8 Barker July 16, 1957 2,809,765}-. D Fazio Oct. 15, 1957 2,813,654 Hobbs Nov. 19, 1957 Great Britaili'auazenuaeoer. 28, 1 1926 1 

